Month: March 2015

Ceaser is the owner of Black Ink. Since he first acquired Black Ink in 2011, Ceaser has continued to expand his business and has worked on turning Black Ink into a brand. Born and raised in the Bronx, Ceaser struggled between the pull of the streets, and his passion for artwork. When his daughter, Cheyenne, was born, Ceaser decided that he wanted a better life for his daughter. Opening Black Ink changed Ceaser’s life forever. Now, Ceaser struggles to find the balance between running Harlem’s only black-owned tattoo shop, his on-again/off-again relationship with Dutchess, and the drama that lives between the walls of his shop. Though his friends call Ceaser an “asshole” (he even has it tattooed on him), underneath the tough exterior is a guy with a big heart who knows how to keep it real. Check out our latest interview as we discussed it all with Ceaser !!!!

Multi-platinum Grammy Award winning recording artist. New York Times best-selling author. Wife. Mother. Entrepreneur. With so many hats to be worn, it is undeniable that Faith Renée Evans has a little something for everyone. What has been an equally rewarding and trying career, ask her how she’s come this far and she’ll simply reply, “FAITH.” Now Faith has been a new album out “Incomparable” which has been receiving by the best feedback her Faithfuls and the music industry. David Duane and Tabitha Williams had the opportunity to catch up with Faith following her incredible performance at Cory Taylor’s “R&B Spotlight” on Sunday. Check out our interview as we talked her latest projects, fitness, and more !!!!!

Valentines Day in New York City always is the best – especially if it’s a night of LIVE R&B music. Our friends, Elle Varner & Bridget Kelly performed two intimate shows their fans on the day of love. In case you’re not familiar with Bridget Kelly. She best known for her singles “Special Delivery” and “Street Dreamin” featuring Kendrick Lamar has recently embarked on her independent artist journey. Now back better than ever, Bridget is almost ready to release her debut album “All Or Nothing” later this Spring 2015. She previewed tracks such as “You” with Jordan Bratton and “Run After You”. Elle Varner – known for singles like “I Only Wanna Give It To U (Featuring J. Cole)” & “Refill” has been recording her highly anticipated album “4 Letter Word”. Continuing to get the ball rolling on promoting the album, Elle has been running new single and even performed them for the audience in New York City. One record that always stands out to us is “Nothing”, a record about feeling like you don’t have a place in one’s heart. MBK/RCA Recording Artist, Gabi Wilson opened up both of the shows as Julissa B hosted it along with Mack Wilds. Such an incredible concert from Elle & Bridget ! Checkout our videos from the incredible performance below !

R&B | Soul Recording Artist, Tank has been on overdrive releasing time-less music for the world. With his latest album “Stronger” (which was released August 2014), Tank and his team have build a successful foundation “Stronger U” sets around health and fitness. Not only has Tank has created his positive platform, but his also continue his venture in signed artist to his independent record label. His now working with Hip-Hop / Rap Recording Artist – Siya (Known from Oxygen “Hip-Hop Sisters) and R&B Trio – 12Til. In this latest exclusive interview with Tank he discusses it all. Not only that but his opinion on the state of R&B music and his Valentines Day EP, “If You Were Mine”. Check It Out !

Sky is Black Ink’s fast-talking and quick-witted receptionist. The former “Queen Of The MIxxxys” Sky sure knows how to bring the fun to any situation. Sky is a true Harlem girl. Born and raised in the projects of Harlem, Sky brings the “real” to the shop. Sky tells you like it is, whether you want to hear it or not. This free spirit got herself into plenty of criminal trouble when she was a teenager, but Sky is on the road to change. She wants to put her rough upbringing behind her and to concentrate on making a change within the community, but most of all, within herself.

Ricky Dillard has enjoyed a triumphant, history-making year that will go down in record books both literally and figuratively. In June 2014, Light Records released Dillard’s ninth album, AMAZING. The live set marks the 25th anniversary of his notable choir, the New Generation Chorale, and is a sonic masterpiece that has been at the top of the charts since its debut. The album’s first single – the title track, “Amazing” – just became the longest running song at Gospel radio this decade, with a phenomenal 25 weeks in the #1 slot. This enormous accomplishment was instrumental in garnering Dillard a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Album – his third nomination for a Grammy Award. Additionally, Ricky Dillard & New G is named as 2014’s Top Gospel Duo/Group in the year-end issue of Billboard Magazine (on stands December 12). Checkout our latest interview with Ricky now.

Grammy, Stellar, and Dove-Award nominated singer Anita Wilson keeps Urban Contemporary music alight with her unparalleled fusion of Gospel and Soul music. First finding recognition as part of the Grammy-award nominated ensemble Donald Lawrence & Co., Wilson’s beeline to the solo stage – via her debut album Worship Soul– came as a celebrated breakthrough. Recognized by the New York Times’ Ben Ratliff as one of “2012’s top ten albums” across all genres, Worship Soul wielded the memorable hits “Jesus Will” and “Speechless” and introduced the masses to Wilson as a new frontrunner for Urban Contemporary Gospel.

Her sophomore album, VINTAGE WORSHIP, follows in its predecessor’s stead by unveiling a collection of masterfully crafted tunes with ingredients of classic gospel, funk, soul, pop, and R&B. Citing gospel greats such as The Hawkins, The Clark Sisters and The Winans as musical influences for the album, Wilson also drew from a well of R&B/Soul favorites like Eddie Kendricks, Lalah Hathaway, Chaka Khan, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Evelyn Champagne King and many more to create a melting pot of sounds.

Before we went out of 2014 in-style, Anita stopped by our radio show with David Duane to catch up with him briefly. Not only was it a catch up session but it was call of “celebrate” for Anita’s recent Grammy nomination. Take a listen now !

Quani might be known as Puma’s wife but she’s more than that. She’s one the newest cast members to VH1’s “Black Ink Crew”. Before becoming pregnant with her and Puma’s daughter – Quani, she was highly into the world of fashion and photography. After she received news from the doctors that she had a high risk pregnant, Quani decided to take a hiatus from her passions. We recently spoke with Quani about it all and how her reason for joining Puma on reality show. Check out our exclusive interview and be sure to share it !!!!

Founder of Sprinkle Of Jesus, an organization inspiring today’s generation to want to create a relationship with God & Jesus Christ. Dana blogs about her experience in finding and living through christ, sharing inspiration and showing how awesome it is to give God our youth to recieve our blessing in abundance. Through social networks she shares motivational videos and posts to over 25,000 people in counting, praying and getting through every day struggles, that we face in the world. Determined to create her heaven on earth she encourages people of all ages to want to establish that life changing relationship.

She is also founder of Christian Base, an organization dedicated to helping Christians jump start their businesses on the foundation of Christ, to successfully become a Christian Based Business. Dana is a 20 year old child of God, determined to break bondage’s around the world through prayer and making new followers of Christ. She prays to continue on the path of being a successful woman business owner with the guidance of her father Uncle Majic The Hip Hop Magician, a Christian Base Success Story. Check out our exclusive interview with Dana and also follow her on social media !!!!

Motown Recording Artist, BJ The Chicago Kid is best known for his work and collaborations with Top Dawg Entertainment but his making a huge name for himself. Recently, BJ released his latest project “The M.A.F.E. Project” this fall (October 2014) and been touring to spread the word about his brand. Check out latest exclusive with BJ as he discusses the new project and touring with Luke James.